June Preston

June Preston (born December 29, 1928) is an American former child film actress who went on to a career in opera. She made her debut at the age of 24 with the Metropolitan Opera, "Stars of the Metropolitan Opera" tour in 1952 with the lead role of Mimi in La bohème, opposite the Metropolitan star Jan Peerce as Rodolfo.

Preston was born in Glendale, California. At the age of 4 she was spotted on the RKO film studio lot and landed her first role as Mrs. Blewett's Daughter in Anne of Green Gables, and went on to act in many other movies including Christmas in July, Second Chorus, The Strawberry Blonde, Maytime, and guest starring in many Our Gang comedies. Preston had huge merchandising contracts with over 50 manufactures which included the famous June Preston Frocks[1],Fairytale and Dixie Swirls dresses, coats, hats, swimsuits, snowsuits, slips from toddler to teens, and handkerchiefs, toys, coloring books, paint sets, with millions sold worldwide.

Film career

June Preston had paid a visit to the studio where an executive saw her and called for an immediate screen test, which resulted in a five-year[2] contract] RKO, which was unique and unheard-of for a newcomer in Hollywood; then at age 9 she entered another contract [3] with RKO for another 7 years. Her first film role was at age 4[4] as Mrs. Blewett's Daughter in the RKO Film Anne of Green Gables. Preston acted, sang, and danced. She quickly gained popularity and went on to work under contract with Universal Studios, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, MGM, Republic Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Columbia followed by various merchandising contracts such as the June Preston Frocks[5] apparel lines and the famous June Preston Doll.[6] She was considered to be one of the "Big Pay Babes" [7] Big Pay Babes]" in Hollywood alongside Shirley Temple and Virginia Weidler. She was known for her golden curls,[8] cherub like features and charismatic nature. Preston was considered to be "one of the most beautiful children ever seen in films.[9]

After signing with RKO, she quickly achieved international fame and signed with Edward D. Schuwall Clothing Firm in New York, who was one of the first apparel manufactures that started apparel lines bearing her name[10] June Preston Frocks, and Dixie Swirl dresses RKO Film Star by JP Loomcraft,[11] better known now as Fruit of the Loom and "Dixie Swirl" dresses. Some other manufacturers included were Edward Shuwall & Co., Blossom Infants Coat Co. Inc., H & S Sportswear, I. Schneierson & Son Co. By 1935 she had over 50 manufactureres. Her apparel[12] lines included frocks/dresses, coats, snowsuits, shoes, undergarments, beachwear, purses, hats, gloves, and handkerchiefs. In addition there was the famous June Preston Doll,[13] and movie star cut outs magazine, paper dolls, phonograph, paint set, and an assortment of toys. The June Preston Fairytale dresses <red>June Preston Fairytale dresses</ref> were very popular in 1944, which all combined sold millions worldwide.

Meglin Kiddies

June Preston was also one of the prestigious Meglin Kiddies. She joined in 1934 and was a favorite of Neil Albright, Manager/Owner of the Meglin Dance Studio, he said,[14] "according to Neil Albright, managing owner of the Meglin Dance Studios of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, is expected to develop her into a brilliant child star, under The Meglin artistic training. "Other's that came out The Meglin Dance Studios were Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Virginia Grey, Jane Withers, Ann Miller, and many more.

Preston sang and danced in many movies with the "Meglin Kiddies" featured dancer the movie "In Love With Life,[15] "Show Kids", 1935,[16] "Reg'lar Fellers" 1941[17] "Maytime", 1937 and more.

Publicity

[18] June Preston and Shirley Temple were similar [19] in style. Shirley Temple was one year older than June Preston and, even though they were contracted to separate film studios, they both were often[20] for singing and dancing appearances to publicity autograph events for their own apparel lines and other merchandise. Despite being friends in real life the two girls were often publicized from the very beginning as rivals[21] by the studios and trade publications, which made things difficult for June Preston professionally. It was known that Shirley Temple’s mother insisted that neither girl be present at the studio when the other was working on a film. At age 9 Preston signed another seven-year contract with RKO Film Studio; she continued in films until the mid 1940s.

Selected filmography

Opera career

After her film career June Preston went on to become a world famous opera singer. She was always known to have interest in the classics early on, and at age 14 she was already memorizing opera scores while still in the movie industry. Upon leaving the movie industry Preston moved to Seattle with her parents and began studying with a vocal coach in their home. June Preston's producer/conductor was Gustave Stern.[22] Stern heard her vocalizing through a window as he was passing by her home and immediately knocked on the door and said she had tremendous talent and asked if he could have the honor to coach her. She was 16 at the time and he coached her for several years throughout her college years at the University of Washington. [23] Within this period, Preston performed with the Seattle Civic Light Opera Company with which Stern conducted several operettas featuring Preston, such as Camille in The Merry Widow and Marietta in Naughty Marietta.

At age 20, Preston was sponsored by Coca Cola and she began touring Central and South America performing in top Opera Houses such as the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires which has near-perfect acoustics, Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Chile, Teatro Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona. As well as performing recitals for Kings, Presidents, and Diplomats. There were several US Embassy galas in honor of June Preston throughout Central and South America where she also performed as the featured guest. June Preston was considered the "established favorite in the lyric theatres in Central and South America."

In 1952, at the tender age of 24, Preston debuted with The Metropolitan Opera. The tour was named "Stars of the Metropolitan Opera" and featured June Preston in the leading role of Mimì in La bohème opposite renowned Metropolitan star Jan Peerce as Rodolfo. Preston continued touring with the Met in leading roles opposite Jan Peerce, Salvatore Baccaloni, Nicola Moscona, Robert Weede performing in Tosca, La Traviata, Turandot, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Salome, Die Fledermaus, Der Rosenkavalier, La boheme. In Carmen, her extraordinary vocal range – from spinto soprano to contralto – she was able to play either Carmen or Mercédès.

Preston favored recitals above all, and was also particularly well known for her concert recitals ranging from Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms to Puccini and Strauss. Preston continued to perform throughout Central and South America until her return to the United States.

In 1960 Preston returned to the US and made her debut at the St. Louis Symphony Hall as a guest star under the baton of Leopold Stokowski as the feature singer for the choral finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Other guest stars included Isaac Stern, Leonard Bernstein, Leslie Chabay and Jean Madeira. Preston continued under the baton of Leopold Stokowski with St. Louis Orchestra and New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra until her 1962 when she started her European recital and concert tour. Preston debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and thereafter touring throughout Europe performing in the most prestigious Opera Houses in Europe such as Palais Garnier, Teatro alla Scala, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, and many more. The majority of Preston's performances were overseas.

In 1963, upon Preston's return to the States, she continued to perform under the baton of Leopold Stokowski at Carnegie Hall and with the St. Louis Symphony and the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra with high praises for her passionate performances. It was common that people were so taken by her concert performances that, at the finale, there was a long pause prior to applause because the audience was completely mesmerized.

Repertoire
RoleWorkComposer
CarmenCarmenGeorges Bizet
MercédèsCarmenGeorges Bizet
MimiLa bohèmePuccini
Floria ToscaToscaPuccini
Violetta ValéryLa TraviataVerdi
Cio-Cio-sanMadame ButterflyPuccini
LuluTurandotPuccini
AidaAidaVerdi
SalomeSalomeRichard Strauss
BertaThe Barber of SevilleRossini
DesdemonaOtelloVerdi
Octavian, Count RofranoDer RosenkavalierHugo von Hofmannsthal
GildaRigolettoVerdi
SuzelL'amico FritzMascagni
AdeleDie FledermausJohann Strauss II
MargueriteFaustGounod
MargheritaMefistofeleBoito
CamilleThe Merry WidowFranz Lehár
CunegondeCandideLeonard Bernstein
Countess Rosina AlmavivaThe Marriage of FigaroMozart
CharlotteWertherGiuseppe Verdi
ClaraPorgy and BessGeorge Gershwin

Concert recitals

Her concert recitals include works by Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Puccini, Bach, Strauss, and other works including an aria specifically written for Preston by her life-long friend [24] a writer/composer.

Marriage

In 1962 while on her European tour, Preston met her future husband at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, where she was performing a solo recital with pianist Stranton Carter. Prior to the performance that evening, she arrived with her pianist for rehearsal but the page turner did not arrive. In her words, "A handsome man came up to her and offered to turn the pages." This man was the famous Belgian violinist[25] who was rehearsing earlier that day for an upcoming performance of his own and "came to her rescue". Hoüben was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, who had been following his progress since he was a child and later presented him with an award for excellence in 1955. He was considered a child prodigy, performing his first concerto at age 4. Hoüben and Yehudi Menuhin were childhood friends when the Menuhins moved to Paris and Menuhin studied in Belgium. Hoüben and Menuhin studied together for several years and remained friends for years after.

When they had a child, Preston semi-retired. Preston said she did not want to put her child through the demanding life that comes with constant touring. Preston wanted to take care of her child and be there for that child, because Preston remembered what it was like growing up in the industry and did not want her child to go through the hardship of being taken care by others instead of one's own parents.

Saul Hoüben died in 1982, aged 60. Menuhin was performing at the Hollywood Bowl and Preston and her daughter brought him the news there.

Preston performed various concert recitals for benefits and friends, but did not want to get back into the circuit and officially retired in 1990.

Induction

In 1989, Preston was inducted into the WSHS WSHS Hall of Fame for her film and opera career.

In 1994, Preston came out of retirement for a farewell concert performance in Seattle where it all began. Her repertoire that evening included an aria "Lamento" written for her by her longtime friend[26][27]

Current

Preston currently lives with her daughter and son-in-law. Preston says "she has no regrets, and would do it all over again exactly the same way.

References
  1. June Preston Frocks
  2. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664618955/
  3. contract
  4. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664617133/
  5. "June Preston Frocks"
  6. "June Preston Doll"
  7. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664616687/
  8. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664617133/
  9. "https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664617452/
  10. "June Preston Frock"
  11. Loomcraft
  12. apparel
  13. “June Preston Doll”
  14. "according to Neil Albright, managing owner of the Meglin Dance Studios of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, is expected to develop her into a brilliant child star, under The Meglin artistic training."
  15. "In Love With Life" 1934
  16. "Show Kids" 1935
  17. "Reg'lar Fellers" 1941
  19. similar
  20. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/577938564664637128/ billed together]
  21. "Rivals"
  22. Gustavo Stern
  23. [University of Washington]]
  24. Martin Kalmanoff
  25. Saul Hoüben
  26. Martin Kalmanoff
  27. WSHS
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